Toronto Raptors 2011/2012 Season

[flames_1987]

So by all accounts the 2012 draft class Is suppose to be very strong?

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

So by all accounts the 2012 draft class Is suppose to be very strong?

Yes, and deep.

Edit: To add to that, it also appears to have some really talented SFs, which is a huge need for us, and also a couple of intriguing PG prospects. We should be able to fill at least on major hole with this draft, and I hope BC can trade someone and pick up an additional first rounder.

[bluejays]

Well, the Raps shot the lights out in the first half of this game against the Knicks, but it's looking like the Dallas game where the second half they're completely flat. Aside from this crappy start to the second half, the team is playing with some aggressiveness, though the defence in the paint still is completely disorganized.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by fleury

Well, the Raps shot the lights out in the first half of this game against the Knicks, but it's looking like the Dallas game where the second half they're completely flat. Aside from this crappy start to the second half, the team is playing with some aggressiveness, though the defence in the paint still is completely disorganized.

Yeah, crazy that the Knicks had no interest in going into the paint in the first half, settling for jumpers every time; 27 3pt attempts through 3 quarters. They're a different team with Amare.

DeRozan has now equalled last years total in 3-pointers made.

[bluejays]

Raps taking this one. Nice to see as it helps with their confidence, but I can't help but want that high draft pick.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by fleury

Raps taking this one. Nice to see as it helps with their confidence, but I can't help but want that high draft pick.

Yeah, I can't help rooting for them to win when watching the game, but as soon as it's over, I cringe a bit at the thought of them not getting a high lottery pick.

I expected to see them improve under Casey, but not as quickly as they have. I was expecting a record of about 5 and 28 through the first half of the season, and then about 15 and 18 through the second half. Just given how well they're playing, I think they're more likely to finish in the high 20s in wins, if they stay healthy.

[Da_Chief]

Long ways to go, the new intensity will wear out, I still dont see them winning more than 15 games this year, but anytime they beat chumps like Knicks, Heat, Celtics AKA the superteams I'll be happy.

[The Big Chill]

Pretty good win tonight. I thought we played decent, but it was more about NY playing awful. They seem to be quite a mess right now, with players wanting to play different styles and not knowing where to be.

Nice game tonight from Butler, he finally started to hit some shots and managed to pull down 10 boards. Ed Davis was completely invisible again tonight. Maybe his struggles are due to over-thinking the game right now as Casey is teaching so many new things. Davis is at his best when he is just playing and not thinking too much, as his natural talent seems to be getting into the right positions.

[killer_carlson]

In addition to the deep draft, I think you'll see several teams jettison players from the last 2 years who they aren't happy with. Toronto will be no different, but there may be a chance to upgrade our depth that way as well.....

As for this year, Calderon looks like he came into camp in great shape and in a great mind set. He looks terrific out there.

[Notorious Honey Badger]

anyone see the raptors paint?? it looks like an optical illusion. drives my eyes crazy and actually hurts to look at

[St. Pats]

So they are 3-3. Not so good for the tank. But hey two of the three against the Cavs who are competitors for a lottery pick. Bargnani is doing very well as the "man". DD has really worked on that 3 and the two of them along with a hot shooting Jose are carrying them for now.

Butler has actually shoved JJ to the bench. Wakey wakey JJ.

Carter doing a pretty decent job of backup PG. But he is a wily vet and can handle it for small time periods.

Good to see some progression but I'm hoping the tank gets into gear pretty soon.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Notorious Honey Badger

anyone see the raptors paint?? it looks like an optical illusion. drives my eyes crazy and actually hurts to look at

I am guessing these will pop up a lot more in the next couple years, as ads.

Already in Europe for a lot of sports, especially soccer (they seem to be physical mats) even the Leafs have done some testing on the ice.

This is a good website showing some of this off

http://www.logopaint.com/nc/3d-signs.html

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by St. Pats

So they are 3-3. Not so good for the tank. But hey two of the three against the Cavs who are competitors for a lottery pick. Bargnani is doing very well as the "man". DD has really worked on that 3 and the two of them along with a hot shooting Jose are carrying them for now.

Butler has actually shoved JJ to the bench. Wakey wakey JJ.

Carter doing a pretty decent job of backup PG. But he is a wily vet and can handle it for small time periods.

Good to see some progression but I'm hoping the tank gets into gear pretty soon.

I can't cheer for a tank, I just don't have it in me. I would rather see us win some games and increase the value of the players we already have. Calderon could fetch us a pretty decent return if he continues to play the way he has. I would be more then happy if we ended up with the 8-12 pick and added another lottery pick by trading some of what we already have.

I actually think this situation is ideal for the team. I'm sure the losses will come in bunches eventually, but I like winning a few games at the beginning so we can start to build a winning mentality within the team.

[Julio]

I know the Raptors aren't exactly the biggest draw in the NBA, but there are entire rows in the lower bowl...well multiple rows actually...in Philly tonight.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

I can't cheer for a tank, I just don't have it in me. I would rather see us win some games and increase the value of the players we already have. Calderon could fetch us a pretty decent return if he continues to play the way he has. I would be more then happy if we ended up with the 8-12 pick and added another lottery pick by trading some of what we already have.

I actually think this situation is ideal for the team. I'm sure the losses will come in bunches eventually, but I like winning a few games at the beginning so we can start to build a winning mentality within the team.

I totally agree. How can you guarantee the top player in the next year's draft will not be a bust? I hate seeing my team lose.

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by OzSome

I totally agree. How can you guarantee the top player in the next year's draft will not be a bust? I hate seeing my team lose.

Nothing is a lock but keeping the same mediocre players is a an absolute guarantee of failure. They lost the last two and looked like the tank is right back on schedule. I don't mind short term pain for long term gain. The alternative is to just suck forever.

[octothorp]

Amir Johnson was a freaking warrior tonight. Possibly the best game of his career... battled Love for pretty much every minute he was on the court. Decent game by Bargs, he did great rebounding, but took more shots than ideal (mostly because nobody else was making much). James Johnson had great defense down the stretch.

Toronto allowed just 1 fieldgoal in the last 8:00 of the fourth quarter. Minnesota is under 35% shooting in the game. Even though Minnesota is on a back-to-back, that's impressive defense.

Rasual Butler though. Ouch. The guy has nothing right now.

[Machiavelli]

Is this team too good for a decent chance at a top three pick?

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by octothorp

Amir Johnson was a freaking warrior tonight. Possibly the best game of his career... battled Love for pretty much every minute he was on the court. Decent game by Bargs, he did great rebounding, but took more shots than ideal (mostly because nobody else was making much). James Johnson had great defense down the stretch.

Toronto allowed just 1 fieldgoal in the last 8:00 of the fourth quarter. Minnesota is under 35% shooting in the game. Even though Minnesota is on a back-to-back, that's impressive defense.

Rasual Butler though. Ouch. The guy has nothing right now.

Ya Amir was a stud, great stuff to watch. That was a fun win, I really enjoyed that game.

I was surprised to see that Rasual Butler is actually a decent basketball player for a 3pt specialist, however so far he has been a terrible 3 pt shooter. If he could start to hit some shots then he could actually add quite a bit to this team as he seems to pass and play D pretty decently.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Is this team too good for a decent chance at a top three pick?

Too early to say that, they've had a relatively week schedule so far, with two wins against Cleveland and one win against Minnesota (and one against the Knicks, who are struggling a lot this year). Detroit, Washington, and Charlotte are the only teams I think are significantly worse than Toronto. After that, Toronto's going to be in the mix with about five others.
While a top 3 pick would be great, I think they'll be okay as long as they get a top 10 pick and a shot at one of Barnes, Gilchrist, or Miller. (Gilchrist would be my choice). They also have assets to move if they want to move up. Although right now, none of those assets are doing much to increase their value.